Newsletter –6th May 2018 – 6th SUNDAY OF EASTER

AN EVENSONG SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE LIFE OF BLESSED JOHN SULLIVAN SJ

A moving ecumenical service of remembrance, thanks and unity took place on Sunday 15 April 2018 in a packed Enniskillen Cathedral in the presence of Catholic and Church of Ireland leaders, including both the Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Dublin.

Blessed John Sullivan was born in Dublin in what is now the Republic of Ireland in 1861. He was raised in the Anglican tradition, and, in his youth attended Portora Royal School, Enniskillen (which now incorporates Enniskillen Collegiate School for Girls and has been renamed Enniskillen Royal Grammar School ), in Northern Ireland.

Farm Street Church played a crucial role in the extraordinary life of Blessed John Sullivan. While studying at Lincoln’s Inn he was received into the Roman Catholic faith here in 1896 by Father Gavin at this mid-point in his life. Having spent almost half of his life in the Church of Ireland, he spent the next half in the Roman Catholic Church. For most of those years he worked as a Jesuit teacher and priest at Clongowes Wood School, County Kildare assiduously tending the poor and the sick in the area and sometimes further afield, as well as carrying out his teaching and pastoral duties with the boys in his care at the school. To this day his devotion is remembered and commemorated by the many families and friends of those who have benefitted from his intercession, and a blessing with his cross is still sought after by many Irish people both within Ireland and abroad.

He devoted his life to serving others, with a total lack of regard for his own wellbeing. It is not difficult to see why so many feel that the story of Blessed John Sullivan’s life has the potential to bring communities closer. His story must be told and Evensong in Enniskillen on 15 April did just that, with a fitting tribute to his life and legacy. It was a fine example of Catholic and Anglican traditions working together to honour this exceptional man through music, readings, eulogies and prayer. Much time and care had been taken in preparing and rehearsing for the event. Each hymn, reading and choral tribute had some relevance to a part of the life of Blessed John Sullivan and was delivered by someone who represented an establishment with which he was associated.
The service took place in the Anglican Cathedral where, as a boy, Blessed John Sullivan would have sat on the pews while attending services as a boarder at the Portora Royal School nearby. The Cathedral is only a few yards from the Catholic Church in Enniskillen and several choir members from the neighbouring Catholic Church joined the magnificent Cathedral choir for this occasion. Clongowes Wood Schola choir joined together with the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School choir, both schools having played a big part in his life. Several coaches brought Jesuits and loyal friends from Dublin, Clongowes and Newry to this extraordinary celebration of Blessed John Sullivan’s life. Many local people attended, including some who lost loved ones just over 30 years ago in the Remembrance Day bomb in Enniskillen.

Continuing the theme of collaboration across the two traditions, the sermon was delivered by Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland and reflections were delivered by The Most Reverend Dr Diarmuid Martin, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. These two great men share a mutual respect for each other’s religious traditions and have a close bond of friendship. They are united in their support for the cause of Blessed John Sullivan and the potential this has for bringing people of different religious persuasions together.

Dr Michael Jackson told the congregation about the bond which has formed between the school children of Clongowes Wood College and Enniskillen Royal school. A delegation from Clongowes Wood School attends the annual Remembrance Day service in Enniskillen. The students meet together, discuss, reflect and share experiences. This is surely a way to closer friendship peace and deeper understanding across different beliefs. Dr Diarmuid Martin reminded those present that the story of Blessed John Sullivan provides us all with a fine example of the joining together of different traditions across the island of Ireland.

Finally, the prayers led by representatives from all parts of Blessed John Sullivan’s life reflected the service’s strong theme of unity and reconciliation.

It was a truly ecumenical service with an overriding message, delivered by both Archbishops, of reconciliation and hope for the future. Everyone involved in the preparation and delivery of this special service can be justly proud of playing their part.

May the uplifting story of the life of Blessed John Sullivan, his sacrifice and service to others and his kindness and humility continue to inspire.Sarah Lloyd (married to Peter, descendant of Bl John Sullivan, SJ)

URGENT!

FRONT RECEPTION VOLUNTEER NEEDED

We urgently need help at the front reception in the evenings between 5pm and 8:30pm on a once a month commitment. Supper provided. Please call Leslie Giltz on 0207 408 1234.

LONDON EVENINGS OF FAITH- SUMMER 2018

All are welcome to a series of talks on ‘Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, talks on his teaching’ which will take place at 7pm on alternate Tuesdays from May8th(subsequent talks are May 22nd, June 5th, and June 19th). Talks are held in the Challoner Room, 24 Golden Square, London, W1F 9JR. Full dates and details are available at www.faith.org.uk/events/evenings-of-faith.

During the month of May there is Rosary following the 6pm Mass on Monday to Friday. Flowers to help decorate the altars and especially the altars to Our Lady are welcomed.

CAFOD APPEAL

Thank you for your support to the CAFOD Lent Fast Day appeal. Donations until May 12th will be doubled by the UK Government. CAFOD has planned a £5 million programme to combat malnutrition – and with it they hope to be able to reach 245,000 people. But they need the full amount of match funding to make it happen. You can help them reach the full amount needed for this crucial programme. To donate please go to cafod.org.uk/lent

ANNUAL WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE

Fr Dominic Robinson invites you on our parish pilgrimage to Walsingham on Saturday 26th May. Departing from Farm Street at 8.30am we will visit both Anglican and Catholic shrines arriving back at 8pm. Cost is £35 including lunch. Book via farmstreet@rcdow.org.uk or by calling Leslie Giltz on 0207 408 1234. Cheques payable to Farm Street Church (marked Walsingham). If you have never been to this historic pilgrimage site, this is a great opportunity.

VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR YOUNG WOMEN (20S – 30S)
There will be a weekend organised by the sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) on May 25th -27thin Liverpool. The Theme is: “Discerning God’s Call in my life”. The FCJ sisters will share on different aspects of vowed life, and time for prayer, and there will be reflection and discussion with other young women who are also considering a vocation to religious life. It’s an opportunity to live community life for a weekend and meet some sisters! For more information contact Sr Lynne fcJ at lynnefcj@hotmail.com or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org

ADOREMUS

The bishops of England and Wales are holding a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress in Liverpool from September7 th-9th. The Echo Arena in Liverpool – which can accommodate 10,000 pilgrims – will be the home to a six-hour stage programme on the 8th September and will include a Congress Mass, keynote speakers Bishop Robert Barron and Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and a drama highlighting the beauty of reverence and devotion. The day will conclude with Adoration. For more information and to enquire about tickets to events, please contact adoremus@rcdow.org.uk or call 07738183829. Friday Conference places are very limited. There are available places for Saturday. There is a £40.00 fee for Saturday. Sunday participation is free. They need to receive the completed form for each individual as soon as possible. Cheques payable to WRCDT and sent to the Agency for Evangelisation, 46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN.

NORTHERN SAINTS PILGRIMAGE

Bookings are open for the 2018 Landings UK & Farm Street Jesuits Saints of England Pilgrimage, visiting Lindisfarne, Hexham, Durham and York. June 8th – 13th. For more information please speak to Fr Dominic or, to request a brochure and to book, contact Pax Travel direct on (020)-7485-3003; info@paxtravel.co.uk For full details visit http://www.paxtravel.co.uk/landings-uk

Fr Geoff Wheaton SJ has recorded a short reflection on Andrew White’s Pieta along with an image of the painting that can be accessed on the Jesuit’s Website and also on YouTube by searching “Geoff Wheaton SJ”.

FRIENDS OF FARM STREET CHURCH

If you would like become a “Friend of Farm Street Church” to support our ministry and the care of this beautiful building please pick up a leaflet or see the application information online at www.farmstreet.org.uk/friends.php

WHEELCHAIR USERS

We now have access for wheelchair users to gain access into the house and so will be able to participate in courses, meetings, etc.

BRIDGE

The Bridge Club meets here every Tuesday evening, starting at 6.30pm, all levels are welcome. Funds raised go to the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).

EASY WAY TO DONATE

You can now use your mobile phone to make donations to our Weekly Offering:

just text FARM02 £[enter your donation amount] to 70070

You will receive a reply text immediately, with an invitation to register the donations from your phone for Gift Aid.

REDEMPTION: MUSIC ALBUM

“REDEMPTION”, a bilingual English/French music album by our parish secretary and sacristan, is now available here at Farm Street in the bookshops, Sacristy and at Reception. In Côte d’Ivoire, it is already played on national television and radios. Please visit Armel Paul Marie on Facebook or YouTube to watch his stunning video and rediscover familiar places in London. Thank you for supporting his evangelisation project.

CD of the newly released albumis sold here in the sacristy, the bookshop and at Reception.

A musical portrait of Farm Street Church celebrating fifty years as a Parish. The album includes favourite selections from the choir’s repertoire, along with special commissions composed for the choir by Gabriel Jackson, for which the choir gave the premiere performances. Compact Discs available in the BOOKSHOP and at RECEPTION

Our Regular Events

• Midday Meditation: Every Tuesday 1.40-2pm

• Wednesdays at the Well – Come to Rest & Be Refreshed: 3rd Wednesday of each month 11.30am-3.30pm (Next meeting: May 16, 2018)

Ignatian Retreat Day

Facilitated by members of the Mount Street Jesuit Centre team

Saturday 12th May 11am-4pm

These are retreat days of prayer run in an Ignatian way, in which there is talk, time for personal prayer and the opportunity to listen to each other.

There is no need to book for these days, just come along.

You Heard How It Was Said… Reflecting on the Bible in Context

Facilitated by Brian Purfield and Sr Anouska Robinson-Biggin fcJ

Wednesdays, 16th-30th May 7-8.30pm

The Bible is not always easy reading! Sometimes we find “difficult” passages that seem to present an unloving, frightening or narrow image of God.
Is there a way of reading these passages in a life-giving way? This short course aims to offer young adults keys to unlocking the Bible that can open the way to a closer relationship to God, oneself, others and the world around us.

Preparing to Respond to the Holy Spirit

Facilitated by Mike Smith SJ

Saturday 19th May, 11am-4pm

This is a day of preparation to respond to the presence of that Holy Spirit whose coming we celebrate especially the next day at Pentecost. As well as learning about the Spirit, and what the Spirit brings to our lives, there will be times for reflection, for prayer, and for opening our hearts to the joyous coming of the Spirit.

Lord, Teach Us To Pray

‘Lord Teach us to Pray’ was a request put to Jesus by his first disciples. Jesus responded by sharing with them something of his intimate relationship with his Father expressed in words that we now call the ‘Our Father’. He was inviting them to experience something of the same intimacy that he had with God, and Jesus continually invites us to experience the same.

Spreading the Good News: The Gospel Writers

Facilitated by John Huntriss

Thursdays, May 24th-June 14th, 7-8.30pm

This short course asks: Who were the Gospel writers? Who were they writing for and why? How did they gather their material? What did they include and what did they leave out?Please bring your Bible to each session.

Bereavement and Loss Group

Thursday 7th June 11.30am–1pm

Grief is a particularly isolating experience that can affect all aspects of your life physically, emotionally and socially. There are many kinds of grieving… Sr. Catherine Quane RSM facilitates this welcoming and understanding group that meets on the first Thursday of the month from 11.30am to 1pm.

You are welcome to just come along or contact Sr. Catherine catherine.quane@iolmercy.org.uk or 0190 323 3904 for more details.